Internet Martial Arts

Homeschool.com’s Product Reviews

Ages 6 and Up

InternetMartialArts.com (IMA) offers online martial arts courses which include web-based instructional videos, training, monitoring, and an online belt testing program for individuals age 6 (beginner friendly) and older. Students can train on their own schedule, and train anywhere while having access to instructor feedback—it’s the cyber martial arts learning solution!

I started the Yellow Belt Program. This 4-month program includes fundamentals such as Forms, Basics 1, and Combinations. Students work through this belt by following the steps below:

Students start by watching the Quick Start Guide videos. Note that when material in the video corresponds to information on the site, the appropriate links are included below the videos. I like this. I like seeing and reading important information, whenever possible.

Reading through the training guides. These are broken up into units that match the training milestones—the structure and presentation make sense.

Following the class routine. Classes should include a thorough warm up and then a comprehensive review of the IMA curriculum, including Basics, Forms and Combinations. I appreciate being reminded to warm up. I tend to not do this on my own.

Warm Ups

Basics 1 – these include fundamental blocks, strikes, and kicks.

Forms – these are choreographed routines combining movement and techniques.

Reviewing all instructional videos several times and then practicing the movements slowly, constantly comparing student execution with the execution shown in the videos (doing exercises in front of a full length mirror is pretty important). The site contains a wealth of visual, audio, and written material pertaining to the execution of each technique and exercise, which helps students make adjustments as necessary.

Student log in and out times, as well as video viewing history are recorded to monitor level of activity.

Students should update the Student Notes section after every workout and training session.

Periodically, in the Tips and Other Information section, students receive achievement badges and bonus content based on accumulated viewing time milestones (this encourages kids to stay on track—which is a plus–the more effort and time students put in, the sooner they receive bonus content!).

As mentioned previously, the IMA program allows for access to an instructor for questions on curriculum and other related topics.

Toward the end of the program, students are asked to submit a video. A tutorial on how to prepare the video and what to record is available at the beginning of the fourth month. Students load everything through the student interface directly to IMA. IMA evaluates the video, posts the results, and upon successful completion, mails the new belt and certificate.

A video is worth a thousand words—so you can view a video of the program here.

Not only can individual homeschoolers use this program—but it also works well in a co-op or support group setting:

Mentors are given materials and videos on how to successfully administer the program.

There is a separate mentor portal that allows the person supervising a group of children the ability to run group sessions or classes.

Students and mentors have access to IMA instructors for support and questions regarding training and curriculum.

Each student marked present for the lesson receives viewing credit for all videos viewed during the group session, the time is added to their individual accounts..

The mentor has access to all student accounts to view activity and level of participation of each respective student.

Parents have access to view their children’s profile to make sure they are always aware of where their child is at in the program.

All group practices should are followed by discussion and feedback.

What do I like about this cyber program?

It’s convenient. You can do it anytime and anywhere.

It’s great for homeschooling P.E.

The entire family can do it together.

It’s versatile—individual families can do it, or groups can do it.

It’s very thorough.

In addition to the martial arts, this cyber program teaches life skills (for instance, the Sensei’s 7 Keys to Success)